Marcus Smart Apologizes To The Fan That He Shoved

Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart, clearly did something dumb when he shoved a Texas Tech fan during a game over the weekend.

It happened when Smart flew into the stands after trying to block a shot during a fast break. As soon as he got up he and fan, Jeff Orr, had an intense verbal exchange, and from there, Smart used both of his hands to shove the fan and immediately received a technical foul. Eventually he received a three game suspension.

In a press conference after the game, Smart apologized to Orr, his teammates and the entire Oklahoma State basketball program. "I want to apologize to the fan, whose name is Jeff Orr," said Smart. "I want to apologize to my teammates, to my coaching staff, Coach Ford, my family, Oklahoma State University. This is not how I [carry] myself, this is not how this program is ran. This is not how I was raised. I let my emotions get the best of me.

However, Smart wasn't the only one who apologized. Orr said that he was clearly in the wrong as well and decided not to attend any Texas Tech games for the entire season.

"I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith and the Texas Tech Men's Basketball program," said Orr. "My action [on Saturday] night were inappropriate and do not reflect myself or Texas Tech--a university I love dearly. I regret calling Mr. Smart a 'piece of crap' but I want to make it known that I did not use a racial slur of any kind."

In addition, Orr said that he regrets all of this becoming such a big story and he's embarrassed by not only his actions, but the negative attention this incident has brought to Texas Tech. And when Oklahoma State plays Texas Tech again on Feb. 22nd, the tension alone will create a dramatic atmosphere unlike any other the two schools have seen in the recent past, and it's likely they'll become bitter rivals from here on out. Feb. 22nd is sure to be an exciting tension-filled game to watch--that's for sure.